Ole Miss loses C.J. Johnson for rest of 2013 season

Ole Miss has already been without one of its top pass rushers the past two games. Now, the Rebels will have to do the same for the remainder of the 2013 season as well.

Head coach Hugh Freeze confirmed Thursday that defensive end C.J. Johnson will undergo surgery at some point in the near future and will miss the remainder of the year. Johnson aggravated a leg injury during the Sept. 28 loss to Alabama and has not played in the last two games against Auburn and Texas A&M.

The specific nature of Johnson’s injury was not detailed. The junior will pursue a medical redshirt, which if successful would give him two more years of eligibility beginning in 2014.

Despite missing two games and part of another, Johnson is currently third on the team in tackles for loss with four. Last season, he led the Rebels with 6.5 tackles for loss.